The Spice Girls reunite to launch Viva Forever which is set to open 11th December 2012

The Spice Girls reunited today to launch Viva Forever!, the musical based on their songs that will open at the Piccadilly Theatre on 11th December 2012 with previews beginning 27th November. The show replaces Ghost The Musical which will close 6th October 2012.

The launch for the musical took place at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London, where the band filmed their famous video for "Wannabe" in 1996. The launch was also attended by Jennifer Saunders who wrote the musical as well as Judy Craymer who is producing the show. She made her name with Abba musical Mamma Mia! Speaking at the launch she said “Jennifer Saunders is a comedy goddess and a brilliant collaborator. I feel incredibly fortunate that she agreed to write this story, her first West End musical. With her razor-sharp, witty insight she completely captures relationships, she gets the theatricality and comedy of the TV talent show and chaos that ensues for family and friends. She understands the anxieties in women, the fear of judgment and trepidation that one day they get to a certain age and become invisible. Her story embraces all generations.”

Viva Forever! centres on the fortunes of four TV talent show contestants, especially a young woman called Viva (of course) who lives on a houseboat with her mother. At the launch, Geri Halliwell said: "Sixteen years ago I couldn't imagine when we wrote the lyric 'zig-a-zig-ah' it would end up in a West End show. We're thrilled to be working with these amazing women - incredible."

Victoria Beckham - aka 'Posh Spice' - added: "I think we're going to introduce a whole new generation to girl power. What we do individually and collectively is empower women and we're hoping there's a load more people who are going to come on board."

Mel C said: "We've seen a lot of the workshops of the show and it's better than we ever could've hoped ... to have our songs being performed night after night in a theatre is an honour for us."

There was a humourous moment when Geri Halliwell praised her fellow bandmates only for Mel C to say, "she's only saying that cos she left" (referring to Halliwell's break from the band 1998).

This show could either go two ways - it could be brilliant or it could be awful. I am trying not to make up my mind until after I see the production. However as Viva Forever is replacing Ghost it will have to be good to justify such a brilliant show closing.

Ghost The Musical To Close 6th October 2012

So it is official, the cast of Ghost The Musical have been told that the last performance will be on the 6th October 2012. The news has been confirmed by cast members on Twitter.

This is a great shame as it really is such a great show! Something has obviously gone wrong somewhere however I disagree with some peoples opinions that the show purely relies on it's big set and special effects. I think the score is stunning. 'With You', 'Suspend My Disbelieve' and 'Rain' are my personal favourites. There are whispers of a UK tour but I do think this is unlikely as the show would have to be completely redesigned. 

It is believed that the new Spice Girls musical will replace Ghost at the Piccadilly Theatre. Tickets are due to go on sale June 27th. I for one will definitely be going to see this incredible show before it closes, and I think you should to.

BREAKING NEWS: Ghost The Musical to close - the cast find out via The Daily Mail

Nothing has been confirmed by the producers as of yet but the West End Production of Ghost The Musical is closing this autumn. I find it sickening the way cast members have found out at the same time as  the public via the Daily Mail. No matter what area of business, a company should respect it's employee's and at least have the decently to inform them of  the fact that they face unemployment. 

Ghost will be replaced by the now Spice Girls Musical. Need any more be said?

Current cast member Olivia Lucy Phillip wrote this on twitter 'Always lovely to find out news from the paper isn't it!'. Fellow cast member Francesca Hoffman wrote 'Well interesting day at work tomorrow, thank you daily mail for telling me Ghost is closing in the autumn!!!!' I think they have been kind with their choice of words.

Ghost is one of the best shows I have ever seen and it connected with me in a way no other show has ever done. Let's hope it tours or moves venue because it would be a crime to deprive this show to the British Public. 

Update: 1/6/12 @11:30 - Mark Evans, who is currently playing Sam in the production, has just spoken out on Twitter and said this 'We appreciate people's messages but there are no dates confirmed, nothing has been decided and so I'm afraid no questions can be answered! Ghost is a fantastic show that no matter how long we are running we are all proud to be a part of and every performance will be fantastic between now and the last one whenever it may be! #believe'. So it looks as if we are going to have to wait a while longer to find out what the future has in store for this incredible show.

On the 14th June 2012 it was announced the show would close on the 6th October 2012. Click here to find out more.

This is the Daily Mail article which led to the cast finding out: